Miltochrista setozia, Volynkin & Černý & Huang, 2022

Volynkin, Anton V., Černý, Karel & Huang, Si-Yao, 2022, Four new species of the genus Miltochrista Hübner from northern Indochina and Southwest China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), Ecologica Montenegrina 59, pp. 46-59 : 58-59

Miltochrista setozia sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C0275098-CF36-423F-91C7-360E5232DD81

( Figs 19 –22, 35–37, 41)

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 19 , 35 ): male, “Nord- Vietnam | Mt. Fan-si-pan | Cha Pa , 2400m NN | (22.15’N 103.46’E) [22°15'N 103°46'E] / 8.–29. May 1993 | lg. Sinajev [Sinyaev] & Simonov” / “Genitalpräparat | Heterocera | Nr. 37.607 | Museum Witt München” (MWM/ ZSM).

Paratypes. VIETNAM: 9 males, 2 females, the same data as in the holotype, gen. prep. Nos.: MWM 33.541, ZSM Arct. 262/2017, ZSM Arct. 2019-634 (males), MWM 31.608, MWM 33.542 (females) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 16 males, 7 females, Mt. Fan-si-pan, N side, 1600m, 22°17'N 103°44'E, primary forest, 20– 30.X.1995, V. Sinyaev & E. Afonin leg., ex coll. A. Schintlmeister, gen. prep. No. : ZSM Arct. 50/2017 (male), 51/2017 (female) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 6 males, 7 females, the same locality and collectors as previous, 1– 7.XI.1995 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 4 males, 3 females, the same locality as previous, 20–30. VI .1995, Sinyaev & loc. coll. leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 males, Mai-chau, forest, 40 km SE Moc-chau , 20°50'N 104°50'E, 7–15.IV.1995, Sinyaev & loc. coll. leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-630 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 4 females, Mai-chau, 25km S Moc-chau , 1400m, 20°50'N 104°40'E, 14–18.XI.1994, secondary forest, V. Sinyaev leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 1 male, Tam Dao, 950m, V .1990, Kuban leg., gen. prep. No. : AV5482 ( CKC) ; 2 males, Tam Dao (sec. forest), 60 km NW Hanoi , 1200m, 21°34'N 105°20'E, 1–5. V.1993, Sinyaev & Simonov leg. (MWM/ ZSM).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 10.0–11.0 mm in males and 12.0–12.5 mm in females. Miltochrista setozia sp. n. ( Figs 19 –22) is externally very similar to the sympatric M. megalytera sp. n. ( Figs 1–4 ) and is distinguished only by the somewhat broader forewing with a slightly more elongate apex, and the medial transverse line of the forewing terminating at the costal margin more proximally. In many cases, reliable identification requires the examination of the genitalia structures. The male genitalia structure of the new species ( Figs 35–37 ) is similar to the M. fluctuata sp. n. – M. etalina species pair ( Figs 31–34 ) but the genital capsule differs clearly in the presence of the setose lobe on the ventral edge of the costa medially. Additionally, in M. setozia sp. n., the distal section of the valva is less elongate than in the aforementioned congeners, and the apex of the costa is protruding dorsad whereas the dorsal margin of the distal section of the valva is smoother in M. fluctuata sp. n. and M. etalina . The phallus of M. setozia sp. n. is somewhat shorter and narrower than in M. fluctuata sp. n. and M. etalina (in proportion to the tegumen-vinculum complex). The vesica configuration of the new species is most similar to M. fluctuata sp. n. but differs in the longer and broader ventral diverticulum bearing a cluster of graniculi whereas it bears a dense cluster of tiny spinules in the congener. Additionally, the distal diverticulum of M. setozia sp. n. is narrow and fingershaped whereas it is broader and conical in M. fluctuata sp. n. The female genitalia of M. setozia sp. n. ( Fig. 41 ) are distinguished from M. fluctuata sp. n. ( Fig. 40 ) in the shorter, gelatinous ductus bursae having a deep medial ostial incision ventrally whereas it is heavily sclerotised and with a smooth posterior margin in the congener. Additionally, the appendix bursae of the new species is very short and narrowly conical whereas it is strongly elongate, broad and loop-like curved in M. fluctuata sp. n.

Distribution. The new species is known from Northern Vietnam (Lào Cai, Vĩnh Phúc and SƠn La Provinces).

Etymology. The specific epithet originates from the Greek ‘σετόζη’ meaning ‘setose’ and refers to the setose lobe in the costa of the valva, which is characteristic of the species. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

Figures 17–20. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 17, 18 and 21 in CKC; 19, 20 and 22 in MWM/ZSM.

Figures 35–37. Miltochrista setozia sp. n.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 35 and 37 in MWM/ZSM; 36 in CKC.

Figures 1–8. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 3–7 in MWM/ZSM; 2 and 8 in CKC.

Figures 31–34. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 31, 32 and 34 in MWM/ZSM (31: ex CKC); 33 in CKC.

Figures 38–41. Miltochrista spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 38 in CKC; 39–41 in MWM/ZSM.